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    Empire Diner

    3.7 (407 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Order Empire Diner Takeout or Delivery

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    EMPIRE DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Empire Diner

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    New York Pastrami Sandwich
    Steph W.

    Cute restaurant, love the decor! Great wines/cocktail menu and food menu was good too. I had the pastrami sandwich, friends got ribeye and burger. We all enjoyed it! Also got raw oysters as appetizer, very fresh. The waiter was attentive, also brought us comp biscuit! Only downside was the price. I was shocked for the sandwich + shared appetizer, I paid $70.... That's wild to me. Otherwise I'd be back to try other stuff, prob in doses.

    Steak, Eggs, potatoes  w/chimichurri
    Dorje K.

    Had the Steak and eggs, simple, no issues. Steak was cooked right, eggs were solid, and the plate came out exactly how you expect it to. If you're in the Chelsea area and looking for a casual bite with all different options I totally recommend Empire!

    Rosemary peach Bellini
    Keke C.

    We sat outside which was fine, next time I'll sit inside. Only reason I took a star off is because the mustard on the salmon is messes up the dish so bad. They really need to not put that mustard, also says it's a sweet glaze sauce but none was on it. The fish itself had great taste and I loved the puréed cauliflower. The deviled eggs were good they gave 3 pieces which is basically an egg and a half for $9. The steak was the star of the show. I would go back to order that ! The server Nick was wonderful he was nice and patient.

    Shani F.

    I had a small Meet Up for dinner on Thanksgiving after getting an email about Empire's holiday menu. I was lucky to get a same-week reservation but fortunately we were eating on the late side. The staff were very friendly and patient because we took a while to order. Once we did, our waiter brought out complimentary biscuits. A nice touch. My vegetarian friend, who loves the Diner, got the veggie burger and a margarita. I'd had a late afternoon Thanksgiving meal and opted for the Waldorf Salad, which was bountiful and really colourfully plated. I was really impressed since many dinner salads are too small and underwhelming. I hadn't been to the Empire Diner in years so I'm glad to have it back on my radar.

    Buttermilk Biscuits
    Paul J.

    On a wintry December morning, we stopped into the Empire Diner for an elevated experience. I love nothing more than a greasy spoon, and the Empire Diner moves the standard diner menu up a few notches. You can tell from the first bite of their Buttermilk Biscuits - scratch made, crispy brown with steaming, fluffy, feathery insides. Slathered in house butter, it's enough to warrant a return. But we also got the Waldorf Salad (arugula, radicchio, pears, grapes, candied walnuts, arugula, mizuna, & gorgonzola) and the Avocado Toast (avocado on sourdough filone, radish, cilantro, calabrian chili). We added poached eggs to each and left the diner with full bellies and a hankering for more biscuits. Definitely coming back again whenever we're in Chelsea. Totally recommend Empire Diner for anyone looking for good eats!

    Cavatelli, Smoked Pork Chop
    Jennifer T.

    We had a wonderful dinner there. It's been around for a while, it's so cozy in there, the pillows are a nice touch. The staff are super friendly and warm, and the food was solid. We had potato rosti, butter lettuce salad, cavatelli, and smoked pork. Everything was consistently pleasant. The biscuits too. I'm still thinking about that salad.

    Soup & Sandwich
    Marie P.

    An elevated grilled cheese and tomato soup!!! Super good- staff was so nice too! In one of the best locations in the city. I will definitely be back!

    Avocado Toast ($14)
    Ameya B.

    Random brunch walk-in with a 10 mins wait on Sat and this place is deceptively big. Sadly, big enough to have an impact on their service, which looked like a one time issue. Joshua took our order and we placed our entire order which included the green ($9) pressed juice which was refreshing, a $14 avocado toast which was consistent with one should expect, and $20 crispy chicken sandwich which was okay. Service was extremely slow unfortunately, and the place did not look like it was at capacity. The manager/owner however was personally visiting tables to apologize for the delay stating space issues in the kitchen. Ambiance looked pretty refreshing on the ground floor, and noise levels on the average end. Friendly servers, competitively priced menu, but sadly both, food and service failed to impress us during our visit. Will give it another try!

    Ribeye and Garlic Fries.
    Nicole S.

    This diner is small and reservations are a good idea. It's dimly lit for a more relaxed atmosphere. It's crowded, but the service was still good. The food was amazing. We had steaks with sides and loved them.

    Fish and chips
    Adam S.

    Long time listener, first time caller... Empire Diner reopened in 2017 under its current ownership, who also own the nearby Cafeteria restaurant. While cute inside and friendly service, we felt that the food and service were just not solid. Many of the price points are a bit high for the food quality and portion size. While we decided not to try any cocktails on this visit, we did try their Green juice, which was refreshing and delicious. While service was quick and friendly overall, our water glasses were consistently empty, and we had to flag down someone and specifically ask for more water on a few different occasions. As far as the food: We got the roast chicken: it was dry and flavorless. The accompanying salad was just lettuce and cheese, also flavorless and served without dressing. We also got soup and sandwich: The sandwich was mostly thick bread with cheese melted; however, the soup was delicious. And the fish and chips: Fish was perfectly fried and seasoned, as were the fries. Definitely the best of the three dishes we shared. We did come for brunch, and I'm not sure how the dinner menu differs.

    Dip trio
    Nicole K.

    Very cute place, particularly the upstairs. Servers are kind and attentive. Food wasn't outstanding, but would highly recommend trying the cheesecake because it was delicious

    Buttermilk Waffle
    Jenny N.

    There's a crowd for a reason! This place does not disappoint! The brunch is delicious!! They have indoor and outdoor seating. My friend and I were sat indoor. Plenty of seating inside and outside. Rustic but cozy Here's what I ordered - mimosa, nice and alcoholic - the buttermilk waffles! Wow you can taste the chai in the mascarpone crème. It wasn't overpowering with sweetness. Good balance!! And the pecan added nice texture.

    Burgers & sandwiches & truffle fries & shakes & drinks... all amazingly good!!
    Asuka H.

    We just love this place. Excellent foods & services and atmosphere, can't be any better! Had awesome burger lunch, and especially loved the truffle fries... that was so super good!! Shakes are must have, OMG those were great! Strongly recommend!!

    New York Pastrami Sandwich

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    3 months ago

    Got seated right away. Service was good, waited for a long time to get the food. Steak was definitely not fresh. Such a very sad experience

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    4 months ago

    one of the best veggie burgers ever. all the food was great and the outdoor seating is perfect

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    Ask the Community - Empire Diner

    What are your weekend hours?

    Hi Willi! We open every day, including weekends, 9am-11pm Our breakfast/brunch/all day menu is in… Read more

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    Cask - Bar Front

    Cask

    4.1(1.6k reviews)
    1.3 miMurray Hill, Kips Bay, Midtown East
    $$$

    Wednesday girl dinner is a must try. For $25, you get a martini, salad (Cesar or market), and fries…read more(truffle or regular). I got the market salad with grilled chicken which was very filling and packed with flavor. The grilled chicken was an add on so cost a little bit more than $25 but still an amazing deal. 10/10 recommend!

    Stopped into Cask Bar & Kitchen in Murray Hill for a casual dinner and loved the quirky, cozy vibe;…read moreit kind of feels like having dinner in your grandma's living room (in the best way possible). Think vintage wallpaper, little knick-knacks, and warm lighting. It's got character. I ordered the market salad with mixed greens, honeycrisp apples, goat cheese, candied pecans, and sherry vinaigrette. It was a hearty portion - super fresh and flavorful, and honestly more than I could finish (not a complaint!). I also ordered a Diet Pepsi with grenadine; they don't carry Diet Coke, which I almost docked a point for, but the mix was unexpectedly delicious. Highly recommend it. My date ordered the hanger steak and said it was absolutely amazing. Only hiccup: his first glass of wine he got came out hot... like, microwave-level warm. Fortunately, the server brought a new (cold) one and the rest of the meal was smooth sailing. Service was friendly, the vibe was homey and relaxed, and the food was solid across the board. Would definitely come back, especially for that salad and another round of grenadine magic.

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    Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner - Corned beef and pastrami

    Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    1.4 miMurray Hill, Midtown East
    $$

    After a weekend of rich, indulgent meals, we were looking for something a little more…read morestraightforward and comforting. We also wanted to try a classic pastrami on rye--but without committing to the long lines at Katz's Delicatessen. Sarge's ended up being the perfect alternative, just a quick five-minute walk from our hotel. We arrived around 5:00 pm on a Sunday and were seated right away, which already felt like a win. The meal started with coleslaw and both a half sour and full sour pickle--such a classic deli touch, and a great way to kick things off. I ordered the half sandwich with matzah ball soup, and the portion sizes were no joke. The soup alone could have been a full meal: a huge bowl with an equally massive matzah ball. The broth was warm and soothing, and the matzah ball was incredibly light with a perfect texture. The half pastrami on rye was just as impressive. Even "half" was stacked high with flavorful, tender pastrami. Adding a bit of mustard from the table brought everything together--it was simple, classic, and exactly what I was hoping for. Not only was it one of the more reasonably priced meals of the trip, but it was also genuinely satisfying. If you're looking for a no-fuss, traditional deli experience without the wait, Sarge's is a great option.

    Absolutely terrible experience at Sarges Deli. The waitress was incredibly rude from start to…read morefinish, acted annoyed every time we asked for anything, and made us feel unwelcome the entire meal. Service was so bad she deserved no tip whatsoever. On top of that, the food was overpriced and nowhere near worth the attitude. If you want REAL deli quality, good portions, and professional service, save yourself the frustration and go to Katz's instead. Night and day difference in both food and customer service.

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    Combination Hot Corned Beef & Hot Pastrami Platter

    Empire Diner - diners - Updated May 2026

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